Drip molding for vehicles



March 24, 1931. A. T. POTTER DRIP MOLDING FOR VEHICLES Filed Sept. 19, 1927 INVENTOR.

A TTORNEY. i

. of the top structure.

Patented. Mar. 24, 19 31 UNITED srEs OFFI E A ALBERT T. POTTER, or DETROIT, MICHIGAN, AssIeNon, BY vMiisnn AssIGnMEnTs, o,

AINSWOB'IH MANUFACTURING CORPORATION,

IEORATION OI MICHIGAN or nn'rnornfmronreen, A eon-V nmr Momma or: VEHICLES Application filed. September 19,11927, SeriaI No. 220,-s44.

The present invention relates to drip moldings for vehicles particularly automobiles.

Among the objects of the invention is a molding which shall be made all of metal but which shall have efiectively hidden the attaching means,.such as nails or screws.

Another object is a molding of the type indicated which can be and preferably is made from sheet metal.

Other objects will readily occur tothose skilled in the art upon reference to the following description and the accompanying drawing in which: p

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an automobile top showing one use of the molding.

Figure 2 is a perspective view on a larger scale showing one form of the molding.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of the molding of Fig. 2; taken on line 33 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of a modified form. 1

As indicated in the drawing the molding is intended for use chiefly as a finishing strip and drip trough for the tops of automobiles,

for securing and hiding the edges of the top covering material, and furmshmg a trough for conveying water to one end of the top, thereby preventing the water from runnlng down over the windows.

In the drawing'a conventional automobile top is indicated at 10 with the molding 11 along the sides. 7

This molding in the preferred form comprises a strip of sheet metal folded longitudinally to form a main channel 20, a secondary channel 21, parallel with but much narrower than channel 20, and an upstanding nailing flange 22. The latter will be provided with perforations through which may be driven nails or screws 23 forsecuring the molding to the sill 24 or other suitable part The nailing flange 22 is preferably bent outwardly somewhat as shown so asto form a shoulder 25-near the bottom, and the bead between the channels is so formed that channel 2 toward channel 20.

. This member is secured in position by nails or screws 28 and a second curved member tilts somewhat 30 is then inserted to cover the nail heads.

This member 3Q-ispreferably a strip of thin sheet metal laterally curved and of such width as to extend from within channel 21 to above flange 22. Near its bottom edge it is curved somewhat more sharply as shown at 31 so that it contacts with both sides of channel 21 with its edge under shoulder 25. The main curvature should be such that with the lower edge in channel 21 as shown, the

upper edge 82 is pressed tightly against the sill 24 or the fabric thereon. edge 32 may be rolled under as shown to dull the edge and thereby lessen the danger of cutting the fabric. i

In the modified'form of the molding shown in Fig. 4, channels 20 and 210' are parallel as in the preferred form but channel 21a may be vertical with the nailing flange 22a substantially fiat for most of its height but formed near its upper edge with'fan outwardly offset portion 22b.

The finishing strip for this form of molding is a narrow strip of metal 40 curving outwardly for most of its width and bent over at 1ts upper edge as at 11 to hook over the part 22?) of the first member. The lower edge 44:. of strip 40 is turned outwardly as at 42 forming a shoulder or angle 43 that presses against the nailing flange, while thelower edge 44 presses against the outer side 25a of channel 21a. This outer side 25a should be inclined inwardly so that it overhangs edge molding, the finishing strip is held in place against vertical displacement by means acting in conjunction with its loweredge.

Now having described theinvention and the preferred form of embodiment thereof it is to be understood that thesaid invention is to be limited, not to the specific details herein set forth but only by the scope of the claim which follows.

I claim:

7 An all metal drip molding forattachment This upper to a suitable supporting surface, comprising a drip channel, a nailing flan 'e, and a narrow secondary channel there etween, said latter channel having its Walls inclined out- 5 Wardly" witln its inner Wall continued venti cally to form" the nailing flange"- and "a curved finishing strip adapted to. extend. from Within said secondary channel to above 7 the nailing flange, said strip havingfits lower 19 edge curved more sharply to form a portion adapted to underlie said' inclined inner Wall and extend across said channeland rest against the outer Wall thereof; the curvature of the main portion oisuch' strip being; snclv' that the upper edge thereof presses tightly against the supporting"- surface: 7 r Tl POTTER} 

